Needing some good advice

[natgas]

I have been reading a lot on reloading and watching videos before I make the decision to jump into reloading, mainly 9 and 45.

After all this, I'm still completely confused on what press and other equipment I should buy. I want to enjoy reloading but I also want it to be efficient (fast)----I'm this way about almost everything.

Dillon, Lee, Hornady, RCBS------I'm very confused.

Should I purchase a progressive (I think yes) or what????

Thanks for any input from you long-time reloaders

 

[Rob1]

I have been reading a lot on reloading and watching videos before I make the decision to jump into reloading, mainly 9 and 45.

After all this, I'm still completely confused on what press and other equipment I should buy. I want to enjoy reloading but I also want it to be efficient (fast)----I'm this way about almost everything.

Dillon, Lee, Hornady, RCBS------I'm very confused.

Should I purchase a progressive (I think yes) or what????

Thanks for any input from you long-time reloaders

With out a doubt, Dillon in either a 650 or 550. Best money you will ever spend

 

[Badgesig]

With out a doubt, Dillon in either a 650 or 550. Best money you will ever spend

This. I used to HATE reloading. Once we got that Dillon 650 I found myself actually enjoying reloading.

 

[steak]

If you got the scratch get the dillon. It Lee progressives have a bad rap and seem to be a pain to use. And once you spend the money to jump up to RCBS or hornady, Dillon isn't that much more to have to save.

 

[nikatkimber]

If you've got the budget, get a Dillon 550 or 650. If you have a more limited budget (as in less than $500), there are other options to get into reloading. I have both the 550, and the cheaper option. Both work, and both still get used.

 

[Scott Hearn]

This. I used to HATE reloading. Once we got that Dillon 650 I found myself actually enjoying reloading.

When did you guys upgrade to a 650? They're sweet ain't they?

 

[Scott Hearn]

Another option for pistol calibers only is the Dillon Square Deal B. It is limited to proprietary Dillon dies so you won't be able to do rifle calibers later on that one, but for pistol calibers on a budget I'd go that route. If you have the funds go 550 or 650 and buy it from Brian Enos. All orders over $400 get free shipping. His site has good straight talk comparisons of all the Dillon machines too.

 

[Bubber]

I have been reading a lot on reloading and watching videos before I make the decision to jump into reloading, mainly 9 and 45.

After all this, I'm still completely confused on what press and other equipment I should buy. I want to enjoy reloading but I also want it to be efficient (fast)----I'm this way about almost everything.

Dillon, Lee, Hornady, RCBS------I'm very confused.

Should I purchase a progressive (I think yes) or what????

Thanks for any input from you long-time reloaders

It is subjective to what you want to reload and how much are you going to shoot. And how many different calibers you plan on doing. A 550 dillon easily can get you 400 rounds in a hour. A Square Deal can keep up with about the same. Caliber switches are faster on the 550. I used to use the Lee Load Master and could get comparable amount but found I did blow up a primer or two in it. The primer set up on the Lee could have all the primers go off if the first one lit, the same problem exists with the 650 Dillon. If you are going to use only 300 or so a month you can get by with a single stage press and do one stage at a sitting. It all depends on how much you want to spend, money and time wise. Get in touch with some acquaintences and see if you can watch or learn while they reload a bit. I hope this is helpful. later rdd

 

[natgas]

Thanks for all the recommendations; I'm not sure I'm ready to drop $500 or more just to find I don't enjoy it or don't have the time.

I think some more research and reading is in order before I decide.

BTW, I don't see me reloading anything other than 9 and 45 and possibly 38 in the future.

 

[steak]

Thanks for all the recommendations; I'm not sure I'm ready to drop $500 or more just to find I don't enjoy it or don't have the time.

I think some more research and reading is in order before I decide.

BTW, I don't see me reloading anything other than 9 and 45 and possibly 38 in the future.

Yeah, but keep your options open.

 

[Badgesig]

When did you guys upgrade to a 650? They're sweet ain't they?

Opps, typo ... we have the 550 ... still, I LOVE IT!! Beats the heck outta that single stage press GC brought with him when we got married.

He still uses it for rifle calibers.

I'm gonna add here that if you pick up your brass at the range, buy primers in bulk (to lessen the hazmat fee or make the trip to Powder Valley worthwhile), and shoot lead bullets you can save a good 1/2 off the price of factory roundnose ammo.

I won't carry reloads for self defense ... JB would just give me all kinds of grief about being a cowboy if I wound up having to use it. But for practice and competition reloading is the way to go.

Of course there are (or were) two of us shooting 3-4 times a week and a match every weekend when we got our Dillon so it paid for itself very, very quickly. It was a great investment for us.

ETA: The only calibers we reload right now are 9mm and .45 although I keep threatening to get the dies for .357SIG and purchase a G-31 ... just for fun! Guess I gotta get the doc to release me first though ... :blink:

 

[natgas]

I get more confused the more I read!

Seems every place I checked today is out of brass, primers, bullets, etc., especially in 45 and 9

I'm going to go pick up another reloading book today to make things even more confusing

I need to find someone close by who will let me watch them reload to see what all is involved

Thanks again

 

[irons_shooter]

I live right behind Edmond north high school. Anytime you want to see a 550 in action, let me know..

 

[natgas]

Let me know what days/evenings are good for you and I'll try to make it. thanks

 

[csiedmond1]

I won't carry reloads for self defense ... JB would just give me all kinds of grief about being a cowboy if I wound up having to use it. But for practice and competition reloading is the way to go.

why not carry reloads for self defense???

 

[nikatkimber]

I'll put some time into explaining some basics later. Lunch is on its way now.

If $500 is making you balk right now, the Dillon is probably gonna give you a heart attack!

I have a Dillon 550, and it's worth it, but like you said, if you're not sure you're gonna stick with it, it may not be for you at this time.

I also have a Lee Turret. Not as fast as the Dillon progressive, but much faster than a single stage. It's also much cheaper than a Dillon to get into. People will down the Lee stuff, and it's true that there is a lot of difference between them, but the Lee is still a great press to use. I still use mine for calibers I don't load enough of to justify having a setup on the 550 for.

You could get into the Lee Turret + dies + accessories for less than $200, then all you'd need to make boolits is the components and a bench to load on.

 

[Scott Hearn]

Hey natgas, I just finished loading about 150 rounds of .38. That's all the bullets I had and wanted knock those out before switching over to .223. Not hurrying at all it took me about 20 minutes. I could have done it in 10 had I wanted to. Dillon 650 here but the 550 is fast too.

 

[OK Bowhunter]

Keep an eye on Craigs List you will find cheap single stage presses and some times the complete esentials toi get started.

 

[natgas]

That 550 is sounding better and better!

Thanks for all the advice

 

[Wall]

I had a Lee Loadmaster that I used for loading .45acp, 9mm & .223. I had no problems with it. I did upgrade to a Dillon 550b, but I'd not discount the Loadmaster. It's not as robust as the Dillon but it doesn't suck either.